Step 3: Put together the world
Subsequent, you’ll have to arrange the room the place you’ll be stripping paint. Right here’s what Matt Kunz, former president of 5 Star Portray, a Neighborly firm, recommends:
- Drape a chemical-resistant tarp or different kind of protecting fabric over the ground and furnishings.
- Cowl the areas surrounding the trim with thick masking paper, cardboard, or paper baggage.
- Open all home windows and maximize airflow by turning on any ceiling followers and ensuring vents are open.
“Many modern-day paints [have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)] but if you’re working to remove old paint, it’s likely high-VOC, in which case you’ll need to be more careful,” says Kunz.
Step 4: Apply paint stripper
If you happen to’re utilizing a chemical paint stripper to take away previous or cussed paint, security is vital. Make sure that the room is well-ventilated, and put on gloves, eye safety, and a masks.
You could find non-toxic paint strippers in the marketplace that aren’t as harmful for the consumer or the surroundings. Nevertheless, they have an inclination to not be fairly as efficient, in order that they take longer to make use of and would possibly contain some extra elbow grease.
Apply the paint stripper as evenly as doable utilizing a pure bristle brush. Keep away from plastic bristles, as they’ll soften once they’re dipped into the paint stripper.
Cowl the freshly utilized paint stripper with a heavy-duty plastic trash bag, conforming the plastic to the trim in order that the paint stripper is uncovered to as little air as doable, recommends Invoice Nishanian, proprietor of Nash Portray in Nashville. Depart the plastic in place for 15 to twenty minutes earlier than eradicating it.
“Specific instructions will vary by manufacturer, so be sure to follow their guidelines,” says Kunz.
Professional tip: While you select a paint stripper, keep on with the identical chemical. Kunz warns that mixing chemical substances might trigger points or create a poisonous hazard.
Step 5: Scrape off free paint
The chemical stripper will trigger the previous paint to loosen and bubble up from the wooden. When that occurs, use your paint scraper to take away the free paint. Relying on what number of layers of paint have been utilized and the intricacies of the wooden trim, you could have to repeat this course of a number of occasions.
Kunz recommends utilizing a contour scraper, which works for a wide range of different-sized areas. This fashion, you gained’t want to modify between scrapers as you’re employed.
With the scraping step, endurance is vital, particularly for those who’re attempting to protect wooden trim in a historic residence. The largest mistake that Russell sees is folks transferring too quick and damaging the wooden. “It’s easy to over-scrape or gouge the wood,” he says.
Step 6: Take away the remaining paint with warmth
If cussed paint stays after a number of cycles of stripping and scraping, you’ll be able to strive utilizing a warmth gun.
As Russell explains, a warmth gun is sort of a high-powered hair dryer. Level it on the paint to warmth it sufficient in order that the paint bubbles up and loosens. As soon as the paint is bubbly, you’ll be able to once more use the scraper to take away it.
“With heat guns, you need to make sure that the temperature is hot enough to remove the paint, but not so hot that you end up scorching or burning it,” he says.
